State lawmakers 'boycott' Jack Abramoff

(AJC) — The hour that Jack Abramoff spent in the state Capitol last week was a strange and lonely one.

A basement room had been reserved for the man once deemed Washington’s most notorious lobbyist, so that – in between a pair of other speaking gigs in Atlanta – he could discuss ethics in government with state lawmakers and lobbyists.

But Room 125 was nearly empty that afternoon. Only two state senators showed up, including Josh McKoon, R-Columbus, who introduced Abramoff, then left. Not one lobbyist of note appeared.

Abramoff’s appearance was sponsored by the same coalition that has advocated the $100 cap on gifts from lobbyists to lawmakers. His trip was financed, in large part, by wealthy real estate investor and tea partyer Ray Boyd — an undiplomatic critic of the way our Legislature does business.